1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

mettlesome

adjective

ˈme-tᵊl-səm How to pronounce mettlesome (audio)
Definition of mettlesomenext
1
as in energetic
having much high-spirited energy and movement the mettlesome opening dance number got the audience all jazzed up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spirited
marked by a lively display of strong feeling a mettlesome debate on the teaching of evolution in the schools

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mettlesome He may have been provoked into battle by the ruler of Cebu, who was using Magellan’s troops to rid himself of a mettlesome chieftain known to raid the trade ships that navigated the waters in and around the islands. — Tim Carman, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mettlesome
  1. energetic
  2. spirited
  3. animated
  4. fiery
  5. lively
  6. spunky
  7. animate
  8. brisk
Adjective
  • McQueen proves himself a masterful stylist of the modern blockbuster with this energetic action-thriller.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Colombian folk-pop band is known in the Latin music world for catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics and energetic live shows.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • For the ninth year, NewFest is thrilled to collaborate with NYC Public Schools and GLAAD on a spirited shorts program curated for LGBTQ+ teens.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026
  • With unwavering resolve, Salvador rallies an eclectic band of misfit street kids, led by the spirited Belén, to defy fate and protect Carmen.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of spirited
Adjective
  • Both players are intense and animated competitors, and their fan bases' are fiercely loyal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • David helped with a connection with Garner Holt Productions, which designs animated figures, show systems and special effects for major theme parks worldwide.
    — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Dewan tore up the ballroom with a fiery tango with her pro, three-time winner Val Chmerkovskiy.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
  • It will then be loaded up with trash and sent down to a fiery death in Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiery
Adjective
  • Broad, a lively character on the field during his playing days, then starts talking about personas.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Vendors and growers carry in their selections from different parts of the city and greater New England, making the lively market feel like a center for the region’s resurgence of artisan crafts and family farming.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Susan was a spunky fan favorite on the inaugural Golden Bachelor season.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The mop-haired actor plays Joey, a spunky boy onboard who bonds with Maddie over having absent parents in the military.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of spunky
Adjective
  • To imagine the natural world not as a passive resource but as an animate collaborator would be to reorder more than aesthetic categories, demanding another relation to our environment.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, ARTnews.com, 29 May 2026
  • Zugunruhe is the itinerant desire of any animate being to keep moving and growing.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 6 May 2026
Definition of animate
Adjective
  • Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Travelers willing to brave the brisk ocean winds are rewarded with quieter beaches, fewer visitors, and generally lower lodging rates.
    — Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of brisk

Browse Nearby Words

mettle
mettlesome
mew
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Mettlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mettlesome. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All